NOTRE DAME, Ind. — With NCAA Tournament appearances in seven of the last eight completed seasons, and a 7-0 mark and No. 2 national ranking in a CoVID-shortened 2020 campaign, the Irish are set to return to action in 2021 with head coach Christine Halfpenny announcing the 15-game slate on Wednesday (Jan. 20).
“We are eager to get back to competing and couldn’t be more optimistic about the season ahead,” said Halfpenny. “We play in the best conference in the country and having the opportunity to play 10 contests against the best of the best is very exciting for our team. That’s why our student-athletes chose Notre Dame, to be in the best conference with the best opponents, game in and game out. In addition, we are excited to play a variety of non-conference opponents – some that we are familiar with and some brand new — to the players on this year’s squad. Regardless of the challenges and this year’s circumstances with Covid still looming, we will be ready to compete!”
The Irish, which closed the 2020 season with their highest ranking in program history at #2, are set to return four Inside Lacrosse All-Americans from a season ago, including Andie Aldave (First Team), Bridget Deehan (First Team), Madison Ahern (Second Team) and Kasey Choma (Third Team). Notre Dame was also tabbed #2 last month in U.S. Lacrosse Magazine’s Preseason Poll.
Aldave and Deehan were both named US Lacrosse Magazine Preseason All-Americans last month, with Deehan also being tabbed the magazine’s Preseason Goaltender of the Year.
Notre Dame’s 41-player roster also includes senior attacker Maddie Howe, a 2019 First Team All-ACC honoree and IWLCA Second Team All-American, graduate midfielder Savannah Buchanan, who earned Second Team All-ACC honors in 2019 and graduate defender Kathleen Roe, who helped the Irish rank second in total defense in 2020.
The Irish also welcome a 12-member freshman class in addition to transfer Emma Schettig, a sophomore defender who earned Inside Lacrosse Second Team All-American and All-Rookie Team accolades as a freshman with Maryland last year.
2021 Notre Dame Women’s Lacrosse Schedule
All Times ET
Saturday, Feb. 13 – vs. Vanderbilt (Noon)
Friday, Feb. 19 – vs. Central Michigan (6 p.m.)
Sunday, Feb. 21 – at Marquette (Noon)
Friday, Feb. 26 – vs. Oregon (8 p.m.)
Sunday, Feb. 28 – at Louisville (Noon)
Saturday, March 6 – vs. Virginia Tech (Noon)
Thursday, March 11 – at Syracuse (TBA)
Sunday, March 14 – at Syracuse (TBA)
Friday, March 19 – vs. Liberty (7 p.m.)
Sunday, March 28 – at Duke (1 p.m.)
Saturday, April 3 – at Virginia (Noon)
Saturday, April 10 – vs. North Carolina (TBA)
Thursday, April 15 – at Boston College (TBA)
Saturday, April 17 – at Boston College (TBA)
Saturday, April 24 – vs. Louisville (1 p.m.)
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